Emm03atk. If I can how should I introduce them? 1 2 3. Top Answer. You have a cat companion, but you’re gone all day and think he’s bored and lonely. I have found that getting another pet after one passes brings up the grief again and also the joyful memories. Although cats have a reputation as solitary animals, they are social creatures and can thrive on forming close bonds with other creatures. I ntroducing one animal to another should never be taken lightly, especially with dogs and cats. J C. ... Another boy cat would be best. Some people never get another cat after theirs dies. There is no doubt that the question of how to introduce a second cat into your household is the most common among cat owners who consider that their best friend needs company. Have a friend bring the new cat in a carrier to your house. 13 Answers. Phase 3 – Cat Meets Dog. Once the cat is used to your home, let the cat roam loose in one room. The problem is that whenever the older cat tries to move from one area of the house to another, the young male will pounce on … Consider your own cat’s personality and age when deciding on what sort of cat to introduce. Put the older cat into the kittens’ room for a few hours, while letting the kittens run freely to explore the house. My mum and i decided we would never get another cat again as it was for the best and we clearly weren’t ready to have another one. Keep the dog on a leash and have dog treats ready in your pocket. This allows the cats to smell each other directly through the door before meeting face-to-face directly. If you already have another resident cat, careful introductions at this stage will help towards feline harmony - please read our page on Feline Introductions and Hierarchies. Or, perhaps you just love cats and would like to add another one to your household. Answer. ... Russell and ive been dying to have a kitten for ages and my friends cat has just had some so ive decided im going to have one of hers. If you're serious about getting another cat, show your parents you're responsible by being a great caregiver for the cat you have now. The revved-up kitten's attempts at playful curiosity may end up being too stressful to the senior cat. If you’ve decided on a pet cat, you might be wondering if it’s better to go for one cat or two (or more!). On many cat sites I visit there are posts from people who decide to adopt a kitten when they already have a grown cat (10 years old in some cases). Asked by Wiki User. A new kitten is typically eager to make friends, but the older cats in the household may want nothing to do with the younger one. There are no guarantees and it’s always best to be super-cautious when introducing cats to each other. Mar 14, 2018 - Plan on getting a new cat and already have an existing one? If you can't care for the cat you already have, you might want to rethink getting another one. I have a cat now that I had to save her life for I never wanted to go through this again. If you bring a young cat into a household with an older one, or vice versa, they might not interact as well as you'd like. Sit and meet. Whether you already have a houseful of furry friends, or are simply considering getting a companion for your existing pet, it’s important to proceed slowly with the addition of a new cat. To minimize the risk of fighting, opt for a dog of a different height, weight and age from the one you already have. Already I feel like the house is so much bigger without a kitty in it, but first we have to come to terms with our little lady in a different realm. The younger they are when introduced, the greater the chances of their getting on amicably most of the time. I have 3 boys, one nearly 7, one 2.5 and another is 1. 1. Now, none of those facts mean you can’t ever have more than one cat. If you are considering getting another dog, make sure that you are prepared for the responsibility that comes with training a second dog and helping your c Make sure she is engaged, and keep her moving… either with treats or a toy. The male cat isn't overly aggressive, but sometimes playful. Determining whether to add another cat is a complex issue, but one … Sociable interaction with another cat can greatly enrich their daily lives. If possible, have another person the cat is familiar with on the other side of the room to reassure and distract the cat from the dog. You want them all to get on together and welcome the new feline into the house, but this seldom happens quite so easily - even though your reason for getting another cat may be to keep your resident cat company. Relevance. Realize that multiple cats are not likely to be best buddies immediately. However, if you have a particularly timid cat, you may need to provide extra rations in a secluded area. I already have a female 7 year old cat but I'm wondering if I could get a 3 month old female kitten? The last thing your elderly cat needs is more stress. In fact, sometimes adding a cat to the family is inevitable. If your cat is a spitfire, then she will probably love another active cat or kitten, not a couch potato. I have already got 2, one year old cats, I am getting a kitten today or tomorrow but I don't know if I should get a girl or boy. These steps will help ensure a peaceful relationship between your new cat and your existing one. It was VERY hard work but now they live in harmony. Let the cat take things at their own pace. #Tipsforintroducingcats Reverse the process and repeat for several days. Given time, even very nervous cats can blossom into friendly, happy cats! Wiki User Answered . Although huge gaps in age or size, such as a Great Dane with a Chihuahua , may not be the best match, a small variance can be helpful because dogs don't feel as much need to compete if they're not on common ground. If you have one kitty at home, chances are you’ve asked yourself that question at some point. As a current cat owner, you already know that you’re making a 15-20 year commitment, so you — and every person in … The problem with cats is when you have a cat - and then decide to get another kitten! It’s true that many cats can benefit from having a feline buddy. Do you think neighbours would feed it … Is your current cat likely to accept another cat? You think, wouldn’t he like a feline friend. Should I get another cat if I already have one I have a 1 year old male cat? Many cat owners do not realize their friendly, single adult cats may have trouble getting along with a new kitten. How to Adopt a Dog if You Already Have a Cat. If your elderly cat is ill, has limited mobility or is impaired in any way then it's not a good idea to add a second cat at all. Start with One Cat: Begin by playing with only one cat in the room at first. Cats, as a species, have become more socially flexible during the process of domestication to an extent, but individuals still vary hugely in how accepting they are of … Bring in the Other Cat: Casually have your partner bring the other cat into the room and immediately The hardest was getting the 7 year old to accept another male cat as he had been on his own for so long. If you are thinking of getting a kitten to keep an older cat company, you might want to consider two kittens.They will be able to keep each other company while the older cat learns to love them. Sounds like he needs it too. If you’re getting married, for example, and you and your spouse-to-be both have cats, a merger is a must. You also have to consider your lifestyle. After the cats have been exposed to one another’s scents via blankets or other items, you may want to allow the older cat access to the closed door of the kitten’s safe room if they don’t already have access to that part of the house. Bring the dog in on a leash. The following proactive tasks will help the transition to a multi-cat household (or the addition of another cat to a home that already has multiples) go more smoothly: Make sure the cats each have sufficient territory. After about two years of age, acceptance of another cat can be a bit random, but they will very rarely totally reject another cat … However, if your cat is a senior citizen, spare it the nuisance of a rambunctious youngster and get it a mellow, adult companion. It is so difficult to be able to predict whether a cat will accept another into its household. However, if you have a resident cat and are getting just one kitten or another cat, it may be worth considering going for one of the opposite sex to try and remove some of the competition factor. Switch the cat’s and kittens’ locations daily. That's not to say they'd hate one another, but they'd probably hang around each other less than cats of similar ages. Going out and getting another cat after the death of your previous one is not something everyone can do, but there are advantages to moving forward. Instead of another cat just throw all your love to the one left. Another cat is going to be even more of a commitment. I think that we will want another cat eventually. If you already have more than one cat, use the "alpha cat" for preliminary introductions. Getting a kitten, already have a dog!! By T.J. Banks Dec 8, 2014 May 27, 2020. Planning is important. 2. Introducing a new cat or kitten to your resident cat or dog can be quite nerve racking. 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